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A study sequenced and analysed two genomes of basal streptophyte algae that adapt to freshwater and subaerial/terrestrial environments, respectively, providing insights into plant terrestrialization, an important evolutionary transition in the history of life.

Here, the authors present mtDNA and chronological data for sediments from excavations in the South Chamber of Denisova Cave, from which they construct a timeline of hominin and faunal occupation that fills stratigraphic gaps in other parts of the cave.

To better understand bioturbation in the hadal zone, the authors here examine sediment cores collected from depths of more than 7.5 km. They characterise biogenic sedimentary structures, colonization patterns, and their relation to gravity flow events.

Coptis chinensis represents an early-diverging eudicot lineage with diverse medicinal applications. Here, the authors report its chromosome-scale genome assembly, infer a single ancient whole-genome duplication, and characterize the function of CYP719 in diversification of protoberberine-type alkaloids.

A series of early-time, multiwavelength observations of an optical transient, AT2022cmc, indicate that it is a relativistic jet from a tidal disruption event originating from a supermassive black hole.

Sequencing and de novo assembly of the maize W22 reference genome enable accurate placement of Mutator (Mu) and Dissociation (Ds) transposable element insertions, providing a foundation for maize functional genomics and transposon biology.

The genomes of two fern species, Azolla filiculoides and Salvinia cucullata, are reported and provide insights into fern-specific whole-genome duplications, fern-specific insect-resistant gene evolution and fern–cyanobacterial symbiosis.

SlyB, a lipoprotein in the PhoPQ stress regulon in Gram-negative bacteria, forms stable stress-induced complexes with the outer membrane proteome.

A study identified unprecedented horizontal gene transfer (HGT) events in Cuscuta campestris and related species, and provides insights into convergent HGTs between Cuscuta and Orobanchaceae parasites and the functional importance of the HGT sequences.

In addition to controlling Pol II pausing at promoters, the small nuclear RNA 7SK inhibits transcription at enhancers and super enhancers by recruiting the chromatin-remodeling complex BAF

Screening a large barcoded library of unique CD19-specific chimaeric antigen receptors with diverse intracellular domains allows for the discovery of receptors that elicit enhanced antitumoural functions.

Biomphalaria glabrata is a fresh water snail that acts as a host for trematode Schistosoma mansoni that causes intestinal infection in human. This work describes the genome and transcriptome analyses from 12 different tissues of B glabrata, and identify genes for snail behavior and evolution.

Here the authors use genetic mutations to alter TCR signal strength and clonal selection of exhausted CD8⁺ T cells. They implicate CARD11 signaling as a sensor of this TCR signal strength and as a regulator of antitumor function in exhausted T cells that might be targeted to enhance cancer immunotherapies.

Our knowledge of life in the Carboniferous Period is largely restricted to low-lying wetlands dated to 315–310 million years ago. Here, the authors present an older Lagerstätte on an alluvial fan 320–318 million years ago, preserving a diverse ecosystem of vertebrates, invertebrates, plants, and plant-insect interactions.

Influenza genetic diversity is a key challenge in the design of a universal influenza vaccine that protects against different strains of influenza virus. Here, Malouli and colleagues demonstrate use of a cytomegalovirus-based T cell vaccine that induces immunity and can protect macaques from lethal avian influenza challenge with heterologous strains of influenza and suggest protection is linked to the generation of lung-resident influenza-specific CD4⁺ T cells.

By advanced machine learning techniques, first-principles simulations find that dissolving salt in water does not change water structure drastically. It is contrary to the notion of “pressure effect” which has been widely applied over past 25 years.

Nishino et al. show how maternal diabetes leads to epigenetic changes in cardiac and pharyngeal progenitor subsets with anteroposterior patterning and retinoic acid signaling dysregulation, revealing how environmental factors can cause birth defects.

In a short-term study in which hearts from gene-edited pigs were transplanted into two recently deceased human recipients, the hearts were able to function for the duration of the study without signs of rejection and without evidence of pig virus transmission, encouraging further clinical study of cardiac xenotransplantation.

Lim et al. identify CD34 as a surface marker of the heart’s sinoatrial node pacemaker cells, enabling their isolation from stem cell differentiation cultures, advancing future disease modeling, drug discovery, and biological pacemaker applications.

Treatments to prevent thrombosis are suboptimal. Here, the authors identify a lead an antithrombotic drug targeting polyphosphate based on switchable protonation states for the anion-binding groups, demonstrating antithrombotic activity in multiple mouse models, not causing bleeding, and well tolerated.

Cells survive starvation by activating protective pathways. Here, the authors describe that kinase EFK-1/eEF2K defends against oxidative damage in long term starvation in C. elegans independently from its kinase activity and translation regulation.

Genome sequencing and phylogenomic analysis show that the lungfish, not the coelacanth, is the closest living relative of tetrapods, that coelacanth protein-coding genes are more slowly evolving than those of tetrapods and lungfish, and that the genes and regulatory elements that underwent changes during the vertebrate transition to land reflect adaptation to a new environment.

The molecular mechanisms underlying the late-onset adverse effects of radiotherapy remain to be explored. Here, the authors observe compromised wound healing capacity in irradiated skin from breast cancer survivors and highlight THBS1 as a key epigenetically primed wound repair-related gene.

Tiny toolmaker or microcephalic? The ‘hobbit‘ debate continues.

An analysis of the search behaviour of recruiters on a Swiss online recruitment platform shows that jobseekers from minority ethnic groups are less likely to be contacted by recruiters, and also provides evidence of gender-based discrimination.

Mass cytometry with signal amplification enables measurement of low-abundance proteins.

Infection with SARS-COV-2 can result in self-limited upper airway infection or progress to a more systemic inflammatory condition including pneumonic COVID-19. Here the authors utilise a multi-omics approach to interrogate the immune response of patients with self-limiting upper respiratory SARS-CoV-2 infection and reveal a temporal immune trajectory they associate with viral containment and restriction from pneumonic progressive disease.

Clinical research often excludes people with disabilities who have impaired decisional capacity, but they can be included through supported decision-making, where their decisions can be assisted by designated supporters of their choosing. This will promote equitable access to research.

Setaria pan-genome constructed using genome assemblies of 110 representative accessions and variation analyses provides insights into foxtail millet domestication and the genetic basis for crop improvement.

How do we change our minds? Here, subjects were asked to make decisions about a noisy visual stimulus, which they indicated by moving a handle. By following hand trajectories, it was possible to determine the rare occasions when subjects changed their minds halfway through a trial. The authors extend a model developed to account for the timing and accuracy of the initial decision to explain these subsequent changes of mind.

Severe COVID-19 requires immediate and targeted intervention that is efficient against SARS-CoV-2 and its variants. Authors show here the therapeutic potential of engineered natural killer cells that simultaneously express a chimeric antigen receptor targeting the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2, and IL-15, a cytokine that enhances the function and survival of their own.

Organs develop unique vascular architectures to support physiological functions. Here, authors show that organo-typical vascular networks may arise from specific parenchymal cues activating unique endothelial subtypes and angiogenic sprouting processes.

The mechanistic link between cortical activity and behaviors remains largely unclear. Here authors show that targeted holographic photostimulation of mouse visual cortex during a detection task alters performance based on the animal’s state and visual stimulus conditions, highlighting the dynamic influence of cortical activity on perception and behavior.

Terry Burke, Mark Blaxter, David Lank and colleagues report a reference genome sequence of the ruff and analysis of the three distinct male morphs of this bird species. They identify a ‘supergene’ consisting of a fixed inversion in two of the morphs and identify candidate reproductive trait genes in this region.

MacArthur awards go to both scientists and artists.

Taisei Kikuchi, Mark Viney, Matthew Berriman and colleagues report the genome sequences of six species of nematodes from the Strongyloides clade of nematodes, including human and animal pathogens, facultative parasites and a free-living species. They find that expansions of the astacin and SCP/TAPS gene families are associated with parasitism in these species.

Triacylglycerides help to secure the impermeability of mycobacterial cell envelope to some drugs. Here, authors solve the structure of the triacylglyceride transporter Rv1410 and proposed a molecular mechanism for triacylglyceride extraction.

The nutritional, economic and livelihood contributions provided by aquatic food systems are threatened by climate change. Building climate resilience requires systemic interventions that reduce social vulnerabilities.

This paper shows that maternal immune activation in mice induces changes in the mRNA translation machinery in the fetal brain and activates the integrated stress response in male fetuses, which mediates neurobehavioral abnormalities.

The use of organoids in personalized medicine is promising but high throughput platforms are needed. Here the authors develop an automated, high-throughput, microfluidic 3D organoid culture system that allows combinatorial and dynamic drug treatments and real-time analysis of organoids.

Genome assemblies of 13 domesticated and wild rice relatives reveal salient features of genome evolution across the genus Oryza, especially rapid species diversification and turnover of transposons. This study also releases a complete long-read assembly of IR 8 ‘Miracle Rice’.